Kids in the Kitchen!

The kitchen is an engaging place for kids as they learn by playing, touching, and tasting. Letting your kids experiment with food will encourage them to try new foods, teach them valuable kitchen skills, and give you quality time with your little chef.

Before you get started, teach your children the two simple rules of the kitchen:

Wash hands before and after touching food. Scrub with soapy water for the amount of time it takes to sing the ABCs.

Ask to taste. To stop the spread of food-borne illness from raw food like chicken and eggs, make sure kids ask to sample food before they taste.

A child's hands are the ultimate kitchen tool; even young children can participate in meal preparation. For example, children can:

Tear foods like lettuce and pull grapes from vines

Remove the peel off fruit

Mix ingredients

Measure dry ingredients

Push buttons on blenders, toasters, and microwaves (with supervision)

Set the oven timer and tell you when it's done

Pour cold water into a pot for boiling

Older kids can:

Safely practice using a knife

Carefully stir food while cooking

Grate cheese

Follow a recipe

Make a shopping list

Involving kids in the kitchen is worth the extra time and effort. It allows them to learn about food and nutrition, spend quality time with an adult, and have fun!

Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Note: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are moderated and published according to our submission guidelines.